Islamabad: Advisers to Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir have reportedly approached U.S. officials with a proposal to build and operate a port on the Arabian Sea, according to a Financial Times report released Friday. The initiative, which aims to attract American investment, was shared with Munir ahead of his recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last month.
The plan envisions U.S. investors constructing and managing a terminal at Pasni, a strategic port town in Balochistan’s Gwadar District, which lies near the borders of Afghanistan and Iran. The project is designed primarily to facilitate access to Pakistan’s rich mineral reserves, linking the port with rail networks to mineral-heavy western provinces. Importantly, the blueprint reportedly excludes any use of the facility for U.S. military operations, emphasizing economic development over strategic militarization.
The timing of the proposal follows a high-profile White House meeting in September where Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sought U.S. investment across multiple sectors, including agriculture, technology, energy, and mining. According to the FT, the port offer was presented to select U.S. officials in anticipation of discussions with Trump, signaling Pakistan’s intent to deepen economic engagement with the United States while showcasing its strategic maritime assets.
If realized, the project would mark a significant pivot in Pakistan-U.S. relations, presenting an alternative avenue for U.S. companies to invest in the region’s infrastructure and natural resources, outside the context of military collaboration. Analysts note that the port could bolster Pakistan’s regional trade capabilities, support industrial development, and enhance connectivity between the Arabian Sea and landlocked western provinces rich in minerals.
Reuters could not independently verify the Financial Times report. Requests for comment sent to the U.S. State Department, the White House, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Pakistani Army went unanswered at the time of publication.
The proposal underscores Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment amid regional competition for infrastructure development, notably in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and growing strategic interest in South Asia’s maritime corridors.